Real healthy living

Step aside, eggs…

First of all, sorry I missed my weekend post. I’m trying to keep this a regular thing but sometimes life gets the better of us all!

Now on to more pressing matters. Just because I didn’t post this weekend doesn’t mean I wasn’t doing fitness and nutrition stuff! In searching for the next diet trend to try, I stumbled upon several low carb, high protein diets. All the justifications for these plans pointed to the magical properties of protein, so I started to investigate on my own. I found a lot of interesting stuff, but this article is what really inspired me to up my protein this week, particularly for breakfast.

The article recommends that women take in at least 30 grams of protein at breakfast, to rev up your metabolism after 8 hours of fasting and to control your appetite all day long. The problem is, I’m not a big fan of your traditional protein breakfast items. I like an occasional egg, but I’ve grown attached to my usual, carb-based fare and find a meaty or heavy breakfast difficult to digest first thing. And how many mornings can you eat eggs before you really miss your old, protein-less standbys? If you feel similarly, here are some sneaky ways you can get some protein into your favorite high-carb breakfast:

The Essence of Egg, courtesy of bgottsab

Cereal: Try swapping out your usual flakes for a high protein granola, like the one Kashi offers with 9 grams of protein in a 1 cup serving. I tried it this morning and its admittedly a little crunchier and heavier than my usual cereal, but it was close enough to keep me happy. Bear in mind, however, that this is not a low calorie food! There are 200 calories in a serving, so you may want to pour on some skim or almond milk (for fewer calories than whole cow’s milk), and pair with a low calorie side, like some fresh berries.

Waffles or pancakes: You can do several things here. If you look around online, you can find some recipes for mixing up some waffle or pancake batter with added flax seed or protein powder. Or you can top your waffles or pancakes with crushed nuts or a nut butter. My two personal favorites: pancakes spread with an all-natural, no-sugar-added fruit spread and topped with chopped pecans; or a whole wheat waffle spread with natural peanut butter and topped with blueberries.

Toast: A slice of whole wheat bread spread with some sugar-free nut butter makes for a quick, easy breakfast when paired with some fruit and a yogurt or a glass of milk.

Bagels: They aren’t exactly health food, but I know everyone loves a bagel now and then. Start with a whole wheat mini to keep your portion in check, then top with some nut butter and mashed banana, or make a trail mix bagel with light cream cheese, two tablespoons of raisins or dried cherries, and a hearty sprinkle of slivered almonds.

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Almond butter slathered on celery sticks immediately upon waking is a good way to kick it. Just set out the celery the night before with a jar of almond butter on the nightstand with a plastic knife and napkins. If you don’t do it right away, forget about it, tubby. You’ve shot the whole day and you might as well stay in bed and eat candy bars. You should check out my blog “reallyfat”. It’s about being big-boned, exercising, eating only whole foods in moderation, having a thyroid problem and gaining 3 pounds a week. Then getting dejected and drinking heavily. Theoretically, crying jags involuntarily convulse the body so you burn calories that way. I mean you would, probably. Doesn’t seem to be working for me.

I have to admit that a protein/fat filled breakfast fills me up and lessens my sugar cravings throughout the day, but I love my big bowls of carby goodness in the AM.

I like making flourless crepes with eggs and a little baking powder. Just whisk 2 eggs with 1/2 tsp baking powder and then pour into greased skillet and cook covered over medium heat for a couple of minutes. Then you can fill it with all sorts of things, roll it up, and eat like a wrap. You could do sweet with bananas and chocolate nut butter or savory with chicken, hummus, pesto, avocado, etc. It’s high in protein and fat, but feels kind of like a carby sandwich. :)

When I was in Europe staying in youth hostels decades ago they served lunch meat, cheese and whole wheat rolls for breakfast. It took a little getting used to but I learned to love it. It’s quick and easy especially if you’re on the run – late for work, etc. Just roll a slice of cheese into a slice of turkey breast and off you go. It’s instant breakfast!